Description
The College of Fine and Applied Arts is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts. The central focus of the college is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts. Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities.
Organizational Relationship
The Assistant Director of Advancement reports to the Senior Director for Advancement and will work closely with advancement colleagues, the Heads of the departments and members of the faculty. The primary responsibility of this role is to secure private leadership annual giving (LAG) support from the college’s alumni and patrons of its premier public presenting and exhibiting institutions, such as the Krannert Art Museum, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and Japan House. The Assistant Director of Advancement will play a critical role to maximize overall support and opportunities for collaborative giving and serve as a member of the advancement team in the College.
Job Summary
This position will assist the College and its departments in designing strategies to broaden and strengthen advancement activities and leadership annual giving with donors through digital and/or print communications, phone calls, video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, etc.) and in-person meetings. The position will also be responsible for the advancement efforts with the “I The Arts” student philanthropy program, young alumni fundraising, and crowdfunding initiatives. The position will require some travel of varying durations and locations, up to 25%, including some evenings and weekends. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team member who values inclusion and is skilled at building strong internal and external collaborative relationships.
Duties & ResponsibilitiesIdentify, assess, analyze, and design appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and donors and making the vitally important match between donors’ philanthropic interests and the departments’ programmatic and curricular needs. Plan and implement effective outreach and cultivation activities to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects, with an emphasis on gifts between $10,000 and $24,999, determining frequency of contact needed. Work with leadership annual giving donors and prospects capable of making major gifts ($25,000 and higher) and partnering with major gift officers in identifying any possible major gift donors and prospects. Document all activities and interactions in the alumni/donor database.Develop and maintain close collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff to gain a strong knowledge of the academic and research programs to identify and define priorities to be funded through private support. Partner closely with other advancement professionals, including gift officers, stewardship and donor relations, alumni relations, and corporate relations professionals.Determine and prioritize lists of donor prospects, alumni, and other stakeholders to be contacted for meetings and solicitations.Prepare and educate unit volunteer leadership and advisory boards, faculty members, and other unit volunteers to participate in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of leadership annual gifts as needed.
Impact in Your First Year
At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.
Within 3 months, you’ll:
Become familiar with the strategic vision and priorities of FAAMeet your assigned Prospect Development Analyst and begin to dig into your portfolioAttend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within AdvancementBe introduced to fundraising fundamentals and terminology adopted from Plus Delta PartnersWithin 6 months, you’ll:Begin contacting and cultivating relationships with key prospects/donors/alumni to create and implement solicitation strategiesPartner with stewardship and donor relations, events, alumni relations, and communications colleagues on department and College-wide initiativesBe able to share multiple meaningful impact stories of transformative giftsBy the end of the first year, you’ll:Cooperatively set annual goals with your supervisor and portfolio management teamContinue portfolio growth of qualified prospects and successful solicitation strategiesReceive one-on-one coaching from People and Culture to help transition to your new roleBuild a robust network of colleagues across campus
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree
A minimum of two years of successful advancement experience or three years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome-driven components.
Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
Preferred Qualifications
Documented success as a fundraiser
Experience fundraising in higher education or in the arts
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others in a professional environment.
Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in meetings with key constituents
Strong relationship building and management skills
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The budget salary range is $65,000 - $70,000.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on April 14, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu site will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Zsayla Brummett, at zbrummet@illinois.edu and/or visit our How To Apply site for application tips. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Please note: This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
